Staffordshire Moorlands

Staffordshire Moorlands' population grew older between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in relationships, family life and housing tenure.

The population passed 97,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Staffordshire Moorlands increased by 2.8%, from just under 94,500 to 97,100.

The addition of just over 2,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Staffordshire Moorlands was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Staffordshire Moorlands

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Staffordshire Moorlands increased by four years, from 41 to 45 years.

This rural area had the third-highest average age in the West Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 3,900 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 3,000.

About 15% of people in Staffordshire Moorlands are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Staffordshire Moorlands by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More people living alone

Staffordshire Moorlands saw the West Midlands' largest rise in the proportion of one-person households.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (28%) households in Staffordshire Moorlands had only one person, compared with 25% in 2001. The percentage of households comprising an unmarried couple increased from 7.7% to 9.5%.

Across the region, Stafford saw the next largest increase in the proportion of one-person households (from 26% in 2001 to 29% in 2011).

During this period, Staffordshire Moorlands fell below four local authority areas, including North Warwickshire and Redditch, to become the West Midlands local authority area with the 10th-lowest percentage of one-person households.

The percentage of households with only one person was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that comprised only one person across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

Staffordshire Moorlands saw the West Midlands' largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

In 2011, just under one in nine (11%) people aged 16 and over in Staffordshire Moorlands said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 8.8% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 59% to 54%.

Across the region, Shropshire saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 9.7% in 2001 to 12% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner, as the regional average grew from 10% to 11%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Staffordshire Moorlands

The number of people in Staffordshire Moorlands from the White ethnic groups decreased from just under 94,000 in 2001 to just under 96,000 in 2011. As a share of the total population, the percentage remained close to 99%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the West Midlands (83%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Staffordshire Moorlands from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just under 360 in 2001 to about 600 in 2011 (from 0.4% to 0.6%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 270 to just over 500 (from 0.3% to 0.5%).

About 120 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 55 in 2001 (0.1%).

The population from the White ethnic groups in Staffordshire Moorlands remained close to 99%

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Staffordshire Moorlands by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

Staffordshire Moorlands saw the West Midlands' third-largest rise in the proportion of households without children.

In 2011, just over 6 in 10 (63%) households in Staffordshire Moorlands had no children, compared with 59% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 29% to 26%.

Across the region, only Tamworth (from 53% to 57%) and Wyre Forest (from 60% to 64%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of households without children.

During this period, Staffordshire Moorlands overtook five local authority areas, including East Staffordshire and Rugby, to become the West Midlands local authority area with the 10th-highest percentage of households without children.

The proportion of households without children was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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